modem

[/ˈmoʊ.dɛm/ (English) /mɔ.ˈdɛm/ (Portuguese)]
nounmasculinepl: modems (English) / modems (Portuguese)
modem
1. A device that modulates and demodulates signals to enable digital data transmission over analog communication lines, typically used to connect computers to the internet
I need to restart my modem to fix the internet connection.
Preciso reiniciar meu modem para corrigir a conexão de internet.
2. A piece of hardware that converts digital signals from a computer into analog signals for transmission over telephone or cable lines, and vice versa
The modem is blinking red, which indicates a connection problem.
O modem está piscando em vermelho, o que indica um problema de conexão.
The term 'modem' is universally used in both Brazilian and American English without significant variation. In Brazil, it became a household word during the internet boom of the 1990s-2000s. While technically archaic for describing modern broadband connections, the term persists colloquially. Brazilians often use 'modem' to refer to any internet connectivity device, including modern routers and modems combined units.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
modulator-demodulatorconnectivity deviceinternet interface

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
modem
Standard term used throughout Brazil for the device; pronounced /mɔ.ˈdɛm/
Rio de Janeiro
modem
Same standard usage as general Brazilian Portuguese
São Paulo
modem
Same standard usage as general Brazilian Portuguese
Portugal
modem
Also used in European Portuguese with identical meaning; pronounced similarly

Related Words

routerinternetbandwidthbroadbandWi-FiconnectionsignalISP

Related Idioms & Phrases

restart the modem
modem connection issues
plug in the modem
modem signal
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